Gainsborough: Scheming strategy threatened by love in National Theatre Live

Simon Godwin (Man and Superman) directs George Farquhar’s wild comedy of love and cash.

The ‘Beaux’ are Mr Aimwell and Mr Archer, two charming, dissolute young men who have blown their fortunes in giddy London.

Shamed and debt-ridden, they flee to provincial Lichfield.

Their ‘stratagem’ is to marry for money.

Lodged at the local inn, posing as master and servant, they encounter a teeming variety of human obstacles.

These include a crooked landlord, a fearsome highwayman, a fervent French Count, a maid on the make, a drunken husband, a furious butler, a natural healer and a strange, turbulent priest.

But their greatest obstacle is love.

When the Beaux’ meet their match in Dorinda and Mrs Sullen they are most at risk.

For in love, they might be truly discovered.

The screening is on Thursday, September 4 at 7pm.

Tickets priced £12 and £10 are available now from the box office on 01427 676655 or online at www.trinityarts.co.uk